Chapter 5

Liam arrived. He brought the answers I craved.

“Seraphina never had a car accident. That day, she just fainted from low blood sugar. The reason Julian rushed over so desperately was because a senior elder in Seraphina’s family had a sudden heart attack and specifically requested him to perform the surgery.” Liam’s voice was filled with anger and disdain.

“That elder is the head of the Dubois family, and also the target Julian has been trying to curry favor with.”

So, for his career, for currying favor with the powerful, he had unhesitatingly sacrificed me.

How ridiculous. I once thought that marrying a doctor would bring me closer to health. But I never imagined that he would be the one to personally push me toward death.

“Chloe, let’s go.” Liam’s eyes were filled with an unbearable heartache. “We’ll go abroad. Your brother has already arranged for the best medical team. We won’t beg him anymore!”

I nodded, tears silently tracing paths down my face. But we had underestimated Julian Thorne’s shamelessness.

As we prepared to leave, he appeared with a group of bodyguards, blocking the hospital room door.

“Julian Thorne, what is the meaning of this?” Liam shielded me behind him, glaring at Julian.

Julian didn’t look at Liam; his gaze fell directly on me.

“Chloe, I told you, without my permission, you’re not going anywhere.” His voice was calm, but the obsession and madness in his eyes were chilling.

“Julian Thorne, this is unlawful imprisonment!” Liam trembled with rage.

“I am her husband. I have the right to decide her treatment plan.”

Julian’s lips curved into a cold smile. “Mr. Maxwell, if you continue to obstruct me, I won’t hesitate to have security escort you out.”

The bodyguards behind him took a collective step forward, their presence intimidating.

I pulled back the impulsive Liam, looking at Julian, and asked, word by word, “What exactly do you want?”

He slowly walked toward me, raising his hand, his cold fingertips brushing my cheek.

“I don’t want anything.” His voice was eerily gentle. “I just want you to live, well, and by my side.”

I looked into his bottomless eyes, and a terrifying thought surged through my mind. He didn’t want me to live. He wanted me to be unable to live, and unable to die.

“You’re insane!” I pushed him away with all my might. But he used my momentum, grabbing my wrist, his grip so strong it felt like my bones would shatter.

“Chloe, don’t force my hand.” His voice turned chilling. “I have many ways to make you compliant. You wouldn’t want to find out.”

Liam could no longer hold back and threw a punch. The room instantly erupted into chaos.

Bodyguards and Liam’s people started to brawl. Julian clutched me tightly, dragging me into his embrace.

I struggled desperately, but it was no use. In despair, I saw Liam get hit from behind, collapsing slowly.

“Liam!”

I let out a piercing shriek, and my vision went black. I lost consciousness again.

I was taken back to our matrimonial home by Julian Thorne. Here, it wasn’t so much a home as a luxurious cage, built with money and power.